Father Richard Altine Resignation

Letter to be read by Celebrant at weekend Masses on October 27 and 28th at: Holy Maternity of Mary, Holy Family, Sacred Heart of Mary, St. Anthony and St. Gabriel Parishes.

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

On behalf of Bishop Bradley, I come before you today with some difficult news to share that you may already know.

Father Richard Altine voluntarily resigned, and Bishop Bradley has accepted his resignation, as Pastor of Holy Maternity of Mary, Holy Family, Sacred Heart of Mary, St. Anthony, and St. Gabriel Parishes, effective October 22, 2018. In mid-October, the Diocese discovered potential financial irregularities in the parishes. Following discussion of these matters with Fr. Altine, he asked the Bishop to accept his resignation, and has also voluntarily withdrawn from public ministry, both to allow the investigation to move forward and to convalesce from his recent surgery. Please keep Fr. Altine in your daily prayers. You may direct any correspondence with him to our Diocesan Offices to his attention.

Bishop Bradley has appointed Father Alberto Bondy, a retired priest from the Archdiocese of Detroit, as the interim Administrator of the Collaborative. Father Leo Cartagena remains Administrator of St. Anthony Parish in Buchanan and St. Gabriel Parish, Berrien Springs. Father Mike Rejent remains Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Parish, Decatur.

The Diocese is undertaking a thorough review of financial records to understand and assess the situation. Since the extent of the financial irregularities is not yet known, a more thorough report will be forthcoming.

I realize how shocked and disappointed many of you will be by this news, as we are, and we ask for your patience as the investigation proceeds. The Diocese is committed to keeping you informed, and to assuring you that we are taking every step and measure possible to resolve the parish finances. We ask our Catholic community to keep Father Altine, the Parish communities and our entire Diocese in your prayers during this very difficult and challenging time.